Apparatus for liquid dispensing and method of manufacture thereof



Nov. 30, 1943. M. c. SCHWAB APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING AND METHODOF MANUFACTURE THEREOF Filed Dec. 17, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l APPARATUSFOR LIQUID DISPENSING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF Nov. 30, 1943.M. c. SCHWAB Filed Dec. 17, 1940 3- Sheets-Sheet 2 fl/ar/z iz emu/dzNov. 30, 1943. M, c. scHwAB APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISPENSING AND METHODOF MANUFACTURE THEREOF Filed Dec. 17, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet S fl ET ELPatented Nov. 30, 1943 UNIT -D STATES PATENT' OFFICE APPARATUS FORLIQUID DISPENSING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF Martin C. Schwab,Chicago, 111. Application December 1'1, 1940, Serial No. 370,519

. venous or subcutaneous injection. In using such e 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fluid storage and dispensing,and more particularly to methodsand apparatus for storing liquid underpressure and discharging the same without contamination. Morespecifically the invention relates to apparatus adapted to dischargeliquid therefrom without admitting. any extraneous matter whatsoeverthereto, whereby the risk of contaminating s'aid liquid with bacteria,pollen or other foreign matter is eliminated. 'While the invention isillustrated and described herein with special reference to hy odermic orintravenous injection for medical purposes, it is to be understood thatthe invention is adapted for use wherever it is desired to store andsubsequently discharge liquids without contaminating the same by contactwith the air or other substance during such storage or discharge, fromwhich it is apparent that the instant invention has a wide field ofindustrial utility.

It is well known to those skilled in the medical arts that liquidsintended to be injected into the human body may be contaminated bycontact with non-sterile air in the course of being transferred from theoriginal container to the body of the patient, and that suchcontaminated liquids may be highly dangerous to the patient by reason ofthe bacteria or other foreign protein matter accidently introducedtherein.

In Patents Nos. 2,010,417 issued August 6. 1935;

2,065,829 issued December 29, 1936: 2.156313 isentrant air, gas or othersubstance is washed.

In the present invention on the other hand. I eliminate the risk 01'contamination entirely by ovel con tructions andmethods which make itunnecessary to admit air or any other substance in order to dischargeliquid contained in said apparatus. r

While the devices described in my patents and patent applicationshereinabove referred to are well adapted for usein coniunctionwithbottles of substantial capacity, they are not adapted to be used incombination with hermetically sealed ampules containing only a smallquantity otliquid, such as are extensively used in dispensing singledoses of medicament intended for intraampules, it is customary tofracture the glass above the level of the liquid therein and to withdrawsaid liquid by means of an hypodermic syringe. The conventional ampuleis not adapted to be joined directly to an hypodermic needle and,indeed, such a connection would serve no useful purpose, because themedicament will not flow out of the ampule unless air or the like isadmitted thereto.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an ampulecharged with liquid and compressed air or other gas and adapted to bejoined directly to suitable discharge means, such as an hypodermicneedle or the like, and to forcibly discharge the liquid containedtherein through said discharge means'when the portion of said ampulejoined to said discharge means is fractured.

Another important object is to provide a novel method of manufacturing asterile package with the contents thereof hermetically sealed underpressure.

Another object is to provide a package for therapeutic purposes adaptedto be hermetically sealed without loss of the pressure therein.

Yet another object is to provide a frangible ampule adapted to be brokenby force applied to surgical tubing surrounding a portion or saidampule, whereby liquid contained therein is discharged into said tubingby the expansion of air or other gas stored under pressure in saidampule.

Other objects reside in the provision of improved apparatus forinjection purposes, whereby liquid in an ampule may be injected into aperson without using a syringe, without exposing said liquid tocontamination, and in such manner as to prevent the adventitiousentrance of fragments of the ampule shell or other solid matter into thebody of the patient.

Another object is to provide an improved method for administering apredetermined quantity oi medicament whereby the risks of embolusformation and pyro enic shock are eliminated.

Another object is to provide a magazine ampule adapted to repeatedlyfill a dispensing ampule with liquid under pressure.

Another object is to provide apparatus for administeringliquidmedicament, whereby said liquid is discharged into a'dispensingampule and retained therein under pressure in such manner thatpredetermined quantities oi the same may be injected at the will of theoperator. Further objects are to provide methods and apparatus ofmaximum simplicity, economy, ease of use, and safety.

The foregoing and such other objects, advantages, and capabilities asmay appear herein or be pointed out as this description proceeds, or areinherent in the present invention, are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view of a sealed, filledampule embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in central longitudinal section andillustrates an embodiment of my invention constructed to prevent loss ofpressure during the sealing operation;

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view 01' a package somewhatsimilar to that illustrated in Figure 2, but adapted to deliverpredetermined quantities of medicament, and is shown preparatory tobeing sealed;

Figure 4 is a central longitud nal sectional view of anotherconstruction embodying my invention, prior to being sealed;

Figure 5 is a fragmenta y v ew in central longitudinal section of anembod ment of my inven tion having a sealed nipple portion adapted to bereadily fractured wh le retained within surgical tubing or the like.whereby the contents of said ampule may be discharged into said tubingwithout contamination;

Figure 6 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation andillustrates a step in my process 'of manufacturing charged ampules;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly inelevation, and illustrates apparatus of the present invention arrangedfor purposes of intravenous injection or the like;

Figure 7a is a view partly in elevation and,

partly in section and illu trates a modification of the apparatus of thepresent invention adapted to be used for purposes of intravenouinjection or the like;

Figure 8 is a central longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment ofthe magazine ampule of my invention;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view partly in central longitudinal sectionand partly in elevation, and illustrates apparatus for dispensing aplurality of measured doses from a magazine ampule by means of anauxiliary or dispensing ampule.

Like reference characters are used to designate similar parts in thedrawings and in the description of the invention which follows.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1 discloses apackage of medication constructed according to my invention. The packageconsists of a shell I of any suitable material, preferably fusible, suchas glass or the like, which, in the finished package, is fused orotherwise sealed so as to completely enclose the contents thereof. Thisshell I is designated-herein as the ampule. Said ampule is partly filledwith liquid 2, which may be. but is not limited to, an aqueousmedicament for hypodermic injection, blood for transfusion purposes,hormones, or the like. The remainder of the space within the ampule isoccupied by a quantity of air 3, or other gas or vapor, compressed so asto exert a pressure greater than atmospheric. The sealed ampule withliquid and compressed gas therein is herein designated as the chargedampule.

It is to be distinctly understood, however, that the term "ampule! inthis specification and the hermetically sealed, used for holdingsolutions for hypodermic injection, and commonly called ampules, butalso any vessel, bottle or other container, small or large, adapted tothe purposes of the present invention.

The ampule is formed to provide means 4 for connecting the same to adischarge tube or the like. Said means are illustrated herein as, butare not limited to, nipples having expanded portions 5, 'said nipplesbeing adapted to be insertably connected with flexible tubing or thelike. The specific form of ampule illustrated in Figure '1 is providedwith connecting mean 4; I at opposite ends thereof. This makes theampule particularly convenient to use since coupling means may beattached to either end at the convenience of the user. At the time theampule is fractured in the manner hereinafter to be discussed in detail,the particular connecting means to which flexible tubing or othercoupling is attached is pointed downward so that said connecting meansis filled with liquid, for reasons which will be apparent as thisdescription of the invention proceeds.

The charged ampule illustrated in Figure 1 may be made by the'method nowto be described. The ampule I is formed by any convenient method, theend of one connecting-means 4 being open, as illustrated at 6 in Figure6. As is shown in Figure 6, said connecting means 4 i connected tosuitable coupling I I which communicates with a supply line I throughwhich the liquid which the ampule is to contain may be supplied undersuitable pressure. The supply line I and the coupling I I are providedwith suitable flow controlling means, exemplified by the screw clamp 8and the stopcock 9. A suitable gauge III to indicate the pressure in thesupply line I may also be provided. With the flow turned off, thecoupling II is adjusted so that the open end 6 of the ampule pointsdown-that is, the ampule is brought into inverted position. The flowcontrolling means are then opened, and liquid from the supply line Iflows into the ampule, compressing the air or other gas therein. It willbe understood that the ampule is fixed in place by a suitable holder toprevent the ampule from being forced oil the coupling II by reaction tothe pressure therein. Alternatively the coupling I I may be secured tothe ampule I by any suitable means, as, for example, by tying saidcoupling securely to said ampule by means of wire or the like. Thequantity of liquid introduced into the ampule depends not only upon thecapacity of the ampule, but also upon the pressure at which the liquidis forced into the ampule. The pressure should be adjusted to force thedesired volume of liquid into the ampule. I have found it particularlyconvenient to use a gauge pressure of one atmosphere, because thisforces into the ampule a volume of liquid equal to one-half itscapacity. If desired, suitable fluid-measuring means (not shown) may beconnected with the supply line I (see Fig. 6) to permit accurate controlof the quantity of liquid forced into each ampule. When the ampule hasbeen charged to the degree desired, the fiow controlling means 8 and 9are both closed, and the coupling II is disconnected from the supplyline, the clamp 8 meanwhile preventing escape of the contents of theampule.

appended claims includes and designates not only the various kinds ofsmall bulbous glass vessels,

The assembly consisting of the ampule, its contents, and the seal formedby the coupling II and the clamp 8 is next arranged with the ampule ininverted position and cooled well below the freezing temperature of theliquid 2 by suitable refrigerating means, such as solid carbon dioxideor the like. Thus the liquid 2 is converted to a solid. Cooling to atemperature well below the freezing point of the liquid 2 causes thesolid thereby formed to be relatively free from capillaries and gasbubbles. It also reduces substantially the pressure exerted by the gas3. The medicinal fiuid 2 is an aqueous liquid, and therefore expandsupon freezing. The substance of which the ampule is formed, on the otherhand, contracts upon being cooled. Thus the open end 6 of the ampuleissealed by a solid plug therein which is in substantially gas-tightcontact with the ampule shell, whereby escape of the gas 3 is prevented.

My process utilizes the thermal properties of the substances involved inorder to permit the charged ampule to be permanently sealed in aconvenient manner. The charged ampule is detached from the coupling llIt now presents an appearance somewhat similar to that shown in Figure3. The end region 6 is next hermetically sealed by rapidly heating it toa temperature sufficient to fuse the glass or other material of whichthe ampule shell is composed, an oxy-acetylene torch or other suitablesource of heat being em ployed for the purpose. The heat first drives asmall amount of the medicament out of the end region 6, and then fusesit so as to form a hermetic seal. The end region 6 then presents theappearance shown at l2 in Figure 1. Other methods of sealing the endregion 6 may be utilized, such as dipping said end region into a bath ofmolten glass or other sealing material. The frozen medicament isnextallowed to return to the liquid state, and the ampule and its contentsare sterilized, as, for example, by heating the same in a pressureautoclave. It is to be noted that my new process of manufacture utilizesboth the bacteriostatic action of cold and the.

sterilizing action 'of heat to insure sterility of the medicament and ofthe as and container material in contact therewith.

Figure 2 illustrates a modification of my 111- vention provided withonly one connecting means 3. The expanded portion it of said connectinging hermetically sealed, with the medicament l5 contained therein infrozen condition.

Figure 4 illustrates a somewhat modified form of ampule adapted to analternative process of manufacture. The connecting means 4 is sealed atthe tip 12 before the ampule is filled. Through the funnel portion 22,the liquid 2 is introduced, followed by a suitable quantity of liquefiedor frozen material which is normally gaseou at ordinary temperatures,such, for example, a solid carbon dioxide. Promptly after. introducingthe solid carbon dioxide or like material, the ampule is hermeticallysealed, as for example, by fusing together the walls of the neck 23.During this fusion, if desired, the funnel portion 22 may be detachedfrom the ampule and discarded. The solid carbon dioxide or like addedmaterial grad- V ually returns to the gaseous state, and thus generatesthe desired pressure within the ampule.

Finally, the charged ampule is autoclaved or' otherwise sterilized.

My pressure charged ampules may be used in e the manner illustrated inFigure 7, which shows one of my improved ampules, connected to an' plingll being provided with flow controllin means is more or less globularand is joined to the main body of the ampule by a constricted neck Q4.The expanded portion l3 serves as a grip to facilitate handling, andalso helps to retain rubber tubing or other coupling into which theconnecting means and expanded portion thereon may be inserted. Duringthe freezing operation hereinabove described, the medicament in thebulbous portion 63 freezes. and in freezing, expands to form an ice plugtightly jammed into the constricted neck H, whereby escape of the air orother gas 3 is prevented while the ampule is being hermetically sealed,as above described.

Figure 3 shows another modification of the invention provided with amore or les globular portion l8 and two constricted portions l6 and 81in which a primary seal and a secondary seal, respectively, are formedduring the freezing operation and prevent escape of the air or other gas3, as hereinbefore explained.

The ampule may also be provided with calibration marks 99, 20, 2!, forthe convenience of the user in withdrawing definite quantities of liquidtherefrom, said calibration marks being etched or engraved upon theampule by wellknown methods.

Figure 3 shows the ampule preparatory to bemeans, exemplified by theclamp 24. Before inserting the nipple or other connecting means 4 of theampule into the coupling, said nipple may be scratched with a fileto'facilitate subsequent breakageof the same. A filter plate 25permeable to liquid, or a plug of sterilized cotton or like material, isinserted into the coupling H to prevent the entry of solid material intothe needle 23. Alternatively, the filtering devices disclosed in Figures2, 3, and 4 of Patent No. 2,222,123, issued to me on Novemberf19, 1940,may be interposed in the dispensing line between the ampule I and theneedle 23.

Withthe ampule is inverted position, and the clamp 24 inshut-oifp'osition, the tip 26 of the nipple 4 is crushed or fractured bytwisting or striking the coupling I l adjacent said tip 26. The ampulesshown in Figures 5 and 7 are especially convenient in this regard, sincethe connecting means 4 terminate in thin-walled tips 26 of relativelysmall diameter. The position of said tip 26 within said coupling H ireadily determined by the sense of touch. In the specific embodimentillustrated in Figure 5, the tip isdesigned to be fractured between thenipple 4 and the head 37, which region is readily identified as adepression between these enlarged portions and can be located withinsaid coupling H by the appearance thereof, or by the sense of touch.Since the tip 26 and the bead 3'! are of relatively small diameter, thecoupling ll will not be obstructed even if said tip 26 separates fromthe rest of the ampule shell in one piece, as is plainly indicated inFigure 7. After the ampule has been opened by fracturing the tip 26, theclamp 24 is opened somewhat, whereupon the compressed air or other gas 3in the ampule forces the medicament 2 into the coupling ll, thus drivingthe air in said coupling out through the needle'23, and washing theinterior of said coupling and needle. When liquid is discharged from theneedle 23, the clamp 24 i closed, and the needle 23 is inserted into thepatient. The clamp 24 is then opened, whereupon the pressure due to thecompressed air or other gas 3 forces the medicament into the bodyv ofthe patient. When the meniscus of the liquid in the ampule reaches thenipple portion 4, the needle i withdrawn from the patient, or the clamp24 is closed. The filter 25 prevents fragments of the broken ampuleshell from entering the body of the patient, and since the air in theneedle 23 and the coupling II is displaced by medicament beforeinsertion of the needle, the risk of introducing an embolus iseliminated. And since no air or other extraneous matter is introducedinto the apparatus duringthe use thereof, the risks of contamination ofthe medicament or infection of the patient are likewise eliminated.

If the ampule was charged by the method illustrated in Figure 6, the airor other gas 3 will exert no pressure in excess of atmospheric when itoccupies the entire volume of the ampule, since this was the volume itoccupied before being compressed. Therefore the air or other gas 3 losesits driving force just as the last portion of the medicament leaves theampule. This is extremely important, as it eliminatesgany possibility ofa gas embolus being blown into the vein of the patient. I

When a graduated ampule (similar to those shown in Figures 3 and '7) isemployed, the medicament is allowed to flow from the needle 23 until themeniscus coincides with the zero mark IS. The clamp 24 is then closed,the needle is inserted in the patient, and the clamp is reopened,thereby injecting the medicament into the patient. When the meniscusreaches the calibration mark 20, an exact, predetermined volume ofmedicament has been injected, and the flow may be stopped by means ofthe clamp 24. If desired, a plurality of graduation marks may beprovided (as is the case with the ampule illustrated in Figure 3)whereby the same ampule may be used to dispense any one of a number ofpredetermined quantities of medicament, .or, alternatively, to dispensea plurality of doses in succession.

Figure 7a illustrates an arrangement of the apparatus which mayconveniently be shipped complete and ready for use. The ampule I is ofconventional shape and is charged with medicament 2 and compressed airor other gas 3 and is shown inverted and in operative position. Afterthe needle 23 has been inserted into the patient,.

the ampule I may be fractured by twisting the flexible coupling ll,whereupon the compressed air or other gas 3 will eject the medicament 2into the person being treated.

Figure 8 discloses another embodiment of my invention which forconvenience is herein designated as the magazine ampule. It consists ofa flask 21 containing a substantial quantity of liquid 2 in contact witha body of compressed air or other gas 3, and is provided at its bottomwith connecting means 4 adapted to retain'fiexible tubing or otherfluid-transmitting means.

Yet another embodiment of my invention is the dispensing ampule 28 shownin Figure 9 in assembly with the magazine ampule 21 and accessoryapparatus. Said dispensing ampule 28 is provided with suitableconnecting means 4, 4 at each end, and has a graduated scale 29 thereoncalibrated in volumetric units to indicate the quantity of liquiddispensed. Optionally, one of the connecting means 4 may open into areentrant tube 30 which extends to a point below the zero mark of thescale 29.

The magazine ampule 21. may bepartly-iilled with liquid and charged withcompressed air or other gas by the methods explained in discussingFigures 4 and 6 hereinbefore. Similarly, the magazine ampule 21 isopened by fracturing the connecting means 4 thereon in the same mannerthat the smaller ampules shown in Fi ures 1 to 5 inclusive are opened. Asuitable filter 25 may be placed in the coupling 3| so that thefragments formed by -fracture of the nipple 4, as well as any sedimentin the magazine ampule, may be prevented from entering the valve orstopcock 32 and succeeding portions of the apparatus.

To use the apparatus shown in Figure 9, the valve 33 is closed and thevalves 32 and 38 are opened, whereupon liquid from the magazine ampule21 is ejected under pressure into the dispensing ampule 28. The air insaid dispensing ampule 28 is thus compressed into the upper portionthereof by the pressure of the compressed air or other gas 3 in themagazine ampule 2ll acting in conjunction with the hydrostatic pressureexerted by the liquid 2. In case a reentrant tube 30 is provided, itacts as a trap and prevents the air in the dispensing ampule28 iromescaping into the magazine ampule 21. When a sufficient quantity ofliquid'has been transferred to the dispensing ampule, the latter is cutoil from the magazine ampule.by closing the valve 32. Since the air 33in the dispensing ampule 28 has been compressed, it is apparent that thelatter has been converted into a pressure charged ampule. The apparatusbelow the valve 32 is now essentially the same as that shown in Figure7, and is used in the same way. By closing the clamp or valve 38 andsevering or otherwise disconnecting the coupling 39 between flow controlmeans 32 and 38, the dispensing ampule 28 may be separated from themagazine ampule 21 without loss of pressure or liquid from eitherampule. is calibrated, it may be used to dispense a number of doses insuccession; and of course it can be recharged by the magazine ampule alarge number of times.

Thus it will be apparent that the magazine ampule provides a convenientmeans for storing and transporting a substantial quantity of sterilemedicament, and that its use in combination with the dispensing ampuleprovides a convenient means for treating a large number of persons inrapid succession under sterile conditions, as may be necessary duringepidemics and wars.

If desired, ampules such as those illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and7a. may be charged from the magazine ampule 21, the procedureessentially being that explained in connection with the discussion ofFigure 6. The charged ampule thus obtained may be hermetically sealed inthe manner hereinbeiore explained in detail, or an injection needle maybe connected with the coupling II and the ampule used without beinghermetically sealed and subsequently unsealed.

The particular magazine ampule illustrated in Figure 8 has a washchamber 34 incorporated therewith, said wash chamber being provided witha sealed inlet duct 35 and a chamber exit tube 40 communicating with theinterior of the magazine ampule at a point which is above the liquidlevel when said magazine ampule is in normal fluid dispensing position.In case the pressure inthe magazine ampule 21 should be lost, as forinstance by accidentally overturning the ampule While the tip 4 is open,the wash chamber 34 may be partly filled with a portion of the liquid 2by inverting the ampule 21 and restoring it to erect position, the inletduct 35 may be opened and a suitable source of pressure, such as abellows or hand pump, connected there- Since the dispensing ampule 28spirit thereof.

to. Air or other gas may thus be pumped into the inlet duct 35 and willbubble through the liquid retained in the wash chamber 34 and thereby bewashed and freed of soluble impurities and suspended matter. The chamberexit tube 40 acts as a trap and prevents the liquid in the wash chamber34 from returning to the interior of the ampule proper. The entrant airor other gas, after being washed and thereby purified, enters theinterior of the ampule through the chamber exit tube 40 and thusrestores the pressure within the magazine ampule. Thus it will be seenthat the entrant air or other gas joins the air or other gas in the mainbody of the ampule without bubbling through the main body of liquid 2within the ampule.

The magazine ampule illustrated in Figure 8 possesses the furtheradvantage that it need not be charged under pressure, but may beoperated under ordinary atmospheric conditions. In order to so use saidmagazine ampule, the inlet duct 35 must first be placed in communicationwith the atmosphere, as for example by breaking the tip of said inletduct. The hydrostatic pres sure of the liquid 2 forces it out throughthe duct in the nipple or connecting means 4. This permits the air orother gas 3 within the ampule to expand and reduces the pressure thereinbelow atmospheric, whereupon the pressure of the atmosphere forces airthrough the inlet duct 35 into the wash chamber 34 and thence into theinterior of the ampule. This process continues until the ampule isdrained of its" contents or the flow of liquid therefrom is interruptedby appropriate flow controlling means. By immersing the openedconnecting means 4 in any desired liquid and attaching a suction pump tothe inlet duct 35, the magazine ampule may be refilled with liquid andreused.

In the particular construction illustrated in Figure 8, the upperportionsof the magazine ampule is flared out to provide a rim 36 tofacilitate suspension in operative position of the magazine ampule fromthe ring of a ring stand or like apparatus. If desired, the upperportion of the magazine ampule may be substantially globular,

' in order that the volume of compressed air therein may be sufficientlylarge to exert a more or less uniform pressure throughout the entirecourse of theemptying of said ampule.

As will be apparent, the details of my in en tion may be utilized innumerous combinations and permutations. For example, the calibrationmarks shown in Figure 3 may be incorporated into the ampules shown inFigures 1, 2, 4, 5, 7a and 8; the tip construction shown in Figure maybe incorporated into the structures shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8;the bulb I8 and constricted necks l6 and I1 shown in Figure 3 'may beincorporated into the structures shown in Figures 1, 4, 5, and 8, and soon. Thus it will be seen that I have fully disclosed new constructionsfor ampules, which new constructions obviate disadvantages of priorconstructions, and accomplish the objects hereinabove set forth.

While I have described various modifications of my invention, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other modificationsmay be made without departing from the The specific methods of fillin mynew improved ampules, of introducing pressure into the same, and ofsealing them are also capable of substantial modification withoutdepartin f om the scope of my invention. It will also be understood thata choice of materials is available for the construction of my new improved ampules. Not only glass, but various plastics and certain metalsand alloys may be used. Similarly, said ampules need not be charged withcompressed air, but any gas or compressible vapor may be used, although,as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, gases or vapors ofrelatively limited solubility are to be preferred because relativelysmall quantities thereof will remain in the liquid medicament and thusbe introduced into the body of the patient.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its utility, I claim:

1. A dispensing ampule or the like comprising an hermetically sealedenvelope of fusible material, liquid to be dispensed in said envelope,and gaseous material in said envelope under pressure just sufficient toeject said liquid therefrom when said envelope is fractured, saidenvelope comprising a body portion, a discharge tube, and a constrictedneck connecting said discharge tube with said body portion, saiddischarge tube being hermetically sealed by fusion atthe end thereofremote from said body portion while the liquid in said body portion isin frozencondition, said discharge tube being adapted to be fracturedwithin fluid conveying means into which said discharge tube may beinserted, said constricted neck facilitating closure of said bodyportion by a plug formed by freezing the normally liquid contents ofsaid body portion to prevent the escape of said gaseous materialwhile'said discharge tube is being fused.

2. A liquid-dispensing device for purposes of intravenous injectioncomprising sterile liquid and sterile gas under pressure just suflicientto expel said liquid when the container is opened, said liquid and saidgas being confined within an envelope of fusible material having anipple portion adapted to be inserted in surgical tubing and to bebroken therein, said envelope being hermetically sealed by fusing theend of said nipple portion while said nipple portion is plugged by solidmaterial formed by freezing said liquid therein to prevent escape ofsaid gas therefrom during the fusing operation.

3. The method of making an ampulecapable, when ruptured, of forciblyejecting liquid contained therein, which comprises forcing liquidupwardly through a nipple portion at the bottom of said ampule tocompress gas contained therein, cooling said ampule to freeze the liquidtherein, thereby closing said nipple with a plug formed from thenormally liquid contents of said ampule,

and fusing together the wall of said nipple while the same is closed bysaid plug.

4. The method of manufacturing a sterile pressure charged ampule whichincludes the steps of forming an ampule shell open at the bottom,forcing liquid upwardly into said shell through the opening at thebottom thereof, thereby compressing the air in said ampule sufiicientlyto expel said liquid when said ampule is opened, forming a solid plugclosing the opening in the bottom of said ampule by freezing therein atleast a portion of the normally liquid contents thereof, sealing saidopening by fusing together the wall of said ampule while said opening isclosed by said plug, and thereafter heating said ampule to sterilize thecontents thereof and to liquefy said plug.

MARTIN C. SCHWAB.

